We are all going to reach a point in our lives where we will have to make some tough decisions. Not long ago a well know couple on this site decide that the amount of pain medications among other obstacles led them to make the tough choice of hanging it up. He still will post once in a while but he is missed by many on this forum. I'm sure there are many others that have made similar decisions. While I don't have it as bad as some I'll be 61 this year and due to a freak accident in 1986 I now take 4 (20Mg.) of Oxycodone with 1000 Mg of Ibuprofen. Numerous surgeries for my neck, shoulders & overall spine conditions led me to believe that I would never ride again. I took about 10 years off and was really depressed thinking it couldn't get much worse. Then we lost a son when he was 21 and I have never recovered from that, just learned to take it day by day. My wife strongly suggested that I take a course for depression, and another for just how much pain I was going to allow to take control of my life. Since I was forced to retire in 2003 and with my wife working the idle time was not a good thing to have. A man has to be busy, it cures all kinds of problems. I was spiraling deeper & deeper and was very close to ending my misery when my wife said why don't you just go out and buy a Harley, you & my Dad loved to ride together. She also mentioned if I remember right you & my dad were either riding or fixing something on your bikes. I purchased the 08 SERK and now have 80,000 miles on it. We all have limits in our lives that we have to bend to or we just break, no exceptions. Now I'm blessed with Grandchildren that I would have never known if I continued with my poor life choices. When it's physically or mentally impossible to ride I will call or visit the grandchildren. An outlet is needed!
The course that I would recommend is "Managing PAIN before it Manages You" by Dr. Margaret A. Caudill. It can be found at many places and I'm sure there are many other programs. It will help you understand the pain process. Recognize factors that increase or decrease pain. Reduce stress. Learn effective problem solving, Learn about medications and their effects. This was the big one for me, develop relaxation & exercise techniques. Communicate effectively about your pain. Set realistic goals, etc.
This was difficult for me to write as I have a very difficult time expressing myself as words don't seem to find the same meaning from my brain once I type them. You took the time to dig deep and open up so it made it easier to travel down this road. We all have our crosses to bear, wish you the very best and hopefully you can take steps even if they are baby steps to get you to a point where you are comfortable with your progress. It's not how tuff we are it's how flexible can we be, exhaust all means to get you in a positive frame of mind.
God Bless
Ray G.